Prestige Baccarat is a top-notch live dealer version of standard baccarat, developed by one of the world’s leading suppliers of online casino software, Playtech. The game was released in 2016 as the second title in the studio’s Prestige Series, following the launch of a new live dealer roulette version.
Compared with most live baccarat variations available today, including other Playtech releases, Prestige Baccarat offers noticeably better graphics, improved audio, and a smooth pace of play. Players can choose from several interface languages, take advantage of a wide betting range, and explore a handful of new and interesting features.
Rules and Gameplay
Playtech’s Prestige Baccarat is based on the standard rules of the game, but it introduces several changes. Up to seven players can be seated at the table and the cards are dealt from an 8-deck shoe. When two decks remain in the shoe, the cards are shuffled. At the start of each shoe, a certain number of cards are “burned,” i.e., removed from play.
Players can place their chips on any of the three main outcomes of every round – that the Player or Banker will win, or that the result will be a Tie. The payouts are standard: winning Player and Banker bets pay 1:1, except for the 5% commission charged on winnings from a successful Banker bet. A winning Tie bet pays 8:1.
Distinctive Features
This game offers plenty of interesting features and stands out from the other baccarat games in Playtech’s Live Lobby in several ways. The first things players will notice are the exceptional video and audio quality, along with the beautiful yet dark, intimate environment that creates an authentic casino atmosphere. Prestige Baccarat also features a Squeeze option performed by the dealer.
Another exciting aspect of the game is the abundance of side bets, which can be very profitable for lucky players. These include the Player/Banker Pair bets, which win if either hand forms a pair. If the two cards are identical in both value and suit, the hand is considered a Perfect Pair, while a bet on Either Pair wins as long as at least one hand contains a pair. In addition, players can wager on the total number of cards with Big/Small bets or on the value of tied hands with the Egalite side bets.
- Player/Banker Pair – 1:1
- Either Pair – 5:1
- Perfect Pair – 25:1
- Big – 0.54:1
- Small – 1.5:1
- Egalite – 45:1 to 220:1
Conclusion
With its crisp graphics, clear audio, and smooth gameplay, Prestige Baccarat is a truly appealing variation of live baccarat. The most exciting thing about it, however, is the wide range of side bets that offer staggering payouts of up to 220:1.